1881 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

Spirit fell on all them who heard the word." Acts 10:44. And allwith Peter were "astonished" ..."because that on the Gentilesalso was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit," ver. 45. Petersaid they "have received the Holy Spirit as well as we." ver. 47.And he afterward said, "And as I began to speak the Holy Spiritfell on them as on us at the beginning &c. Acts 11:15-17."The gift of the Holy Spirit is to all that obey the gospel," evenas many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:38-39. "And thedisciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit." Acts13:52. Paul exhorts the church at Ephesus to "be not drunk withwine...but [to] be filled with the Spirit." Eph. 5:18.We understand the baptism of fire, in the individual isequivalent to the trials, chastisements, afflictions, andtribulations, through which we must pass in order to overcomeand so reign with Christ. The baptism into death which theSaviour endured, and with which He said His disciples must alsobe baptized, is the very thing pledged in water baptism, but ithas often been shown that it can only be carried out by thepower of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. Rom. 8:13. Thebaptism of fire and of death seem to be identical, or ratherdifferent parts of the same thing, the former being the processand the latter the completion of the work. To be baptized intothe Savior's death means far more than to be baptized into water,though the former is represented by the latter.It is doubtless true that much of our chastisement and afflictioncomes by our own natural conditions, and the Apostle tells usthat, "Whom the Lord loveth He chastiseth... that we might bepartakers of His holiness." Heb. 12:6-10.As judgments and troubles are represented by fire in theScriptures, so the Christian's trials are called "fiery trials." 1 Pet.4:12. Some of these trials come from the enemies without, butthe Christian's greatest enemy is his old self, or carnal nature,against which the Spirit within, or new nature wars. Rom. 7:15-25.It is one of the great mistakes of the nominal church that it isconsidered so easy to be a Christian; as if we might sail toParadise by balmy breezes, and rest on flowery beds. The roadthe Master went, was a thorny road, and He said, "Follow me."The way of the cross is the way to the crown. The cross is asymbol of death by crucifixion. The word teaches that throughmuch tribulation (fire) we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts14:22.The Lord is represented as a refiner of silver, watching Hischildren in the fire, and thus He will purify the sons of Levi.Mal. 3:3. These trials are often severe, but they have theirattending joys. Jesus said to His disciples, "In the world ye shallhave tribulation; but in me ye shall have peace." John 16:23.Paul says, "We glory in tribulations also," because of the good